This past week was very busy for me and my fellow workers. Valentine’s Day was getting closer, and together with the music teacher, Christine, and the executive director of the Day Worker Center, Sra. Maria, we went all out in putting together an activity: a lunch and musical performance in which such songs as “The Last Kiss”, “As Tears Go By”, “Guantanamera”, “La Bamba”, etc would be included. We had to rehearse these very hard as a musical group, which was in some moments stressful. The day finally arrived, February 14th. The banquet was prepared at 12pm, and upon finishing lunch, it was time for the musical numbers we had prepared. I think it was an okay performance, but it didn’t end there. That same night we had our trial by fire, play at the prestigious restaurant of Los Charros in Mountain View, CA. I think that there we were more determined, with more confidence, no nerves, and we gave a good performance. So good that we did three rounds of songs. It was a pleasant experience especially for me, since I hadn’t played guitar for more than 30 years, but I think everything went well.

February 14 was a very special day, as a group of friends led by music teacher Christine Chatwell had the opportunity to participate and perform musically. This performance took place in a well-known restaurant at 7pm. There were about 15 people from the Day Worker Center as well as some guests, like the wonderful presence of three Santa Clara University students.

I want to give a special thank you to Lauren, who was singing and playing her guitar, as well as to all those who supported us with their presence…thank you…

It was a very beautiful evening because we dared to do something that we don’t do everyday, and although we were nervous at the beginning we overcame that. It was an experience that I won’t forget, because I know that my situation isn’t easy. Although I’m far away from my family, here I have met some amazing, personable people. Together we made sure that the night was a success.

On January 28th, a big step was taken towards the reinstatement of civil rights, especially for the latin community. On this day, a large group met in the cathedral in San Francisco, California. Approximately 2,000 people came from different pro-immigration organizations and groups that defend civil rights throughout the Bay Area such as PICO-PIA (People Improving Communities through Organizing/Peninsula Interfaith Action).

This meeting was to protest the federal program called S-COMM “Secure Communities” that was approved by the state of California. With its subtle name it’s actually an openly anti-immigration program used by ICE to deport and separate families from our community. The program works like this: the local police take advantage of racial profiling to ask for documentation from people to verify their legal status and check if they are undocumented. Then they would be detained by ICE and begin the immediate process of deportation, an injust and cruel response.

To my great suprise, many religious from San Francisco like the Archbishop Niederauer supported our just cause and our voices of protest were heard and will continue to be heard. !!!!SEGUIMOS EN LA LUCHA!!!!

When I was 16 years old, I found myself living in Mexico, with the family unit—my father, mother and siblings, all together in the house. I remember that my father provided for everyone—some more than others but he always gave us our education. I never imagined at this age that I could one day live in the U.S. or speak another language such as English. It was always in my mind and in my heart to be a different person with more human warmth, to be able to influence other people, to make changes that benefit humanity. I wanted to be a nurse, but I never tried it. However, it was always in my mind to be different and not follow the typical tradition, or at the very least be a vehicle for change.
Sincerely,
Jaqueline

This is supposed to be a letter to myself, but as I don’t have the slightest idea how to send myself a letter, I will convert it into a collection of memories, of unfulfilled dreams, and achieved goals. Here I go:

When I was 16 years old I had the big idea or dream of becoming a helicopter pilot for the air force or the navy of my country. I liked going to see these contraptions at a military base that was close to my house. But as all things young, rebellious and undisciplined, I didn’t pay the price to achieve this goal, since it required a high degree of discipline and dedication to become a certified pilot. Afterward I wanted to serve my country through voluntary military service. I enjoyed that a lot since I met many people and saw almost everything throughout my country. I have many good memories from then. Oh, and I met many, many women, hehehehe…

One of my resolutions for this new year is to change my eating habits, and so I have decided to lose weight through a simple but effective diet. I believe this is very important for me, as it helps to keep me in good health, and also fight off illness and of course, to be in good shape to carry out the work that I’m given.

One of the first things that I will do are morning exercises as this will complement the balanced diet that I will follow in order to achieve my New Years resoultion. As far as food goes, I will eat more vegetables (such as in salads), fresh fruits and more fish, which doesn’t have much fat, and is a good source of nutrients for my body.

I have decided to eat less pasta, less fatty red meat, “enriched” flour, sweets and pure sugar, etc.

English translation:
Thanksgiving is one of the most important celebrations for people in North America, it’s a day to get together with the whole family and give thanks for the good things that have happened during the year. This is something worth emulating as it’s a very beautiful and noble tradition. Since Mexicans take pride in keeping the family together, firm in our belief that it’s the foundation of our society, this tradition for me is a very nice bridge to integrate into the American culture without distancing us from ours as Latinos.